week in little compton

Little Compton, is in my opinion, one of the best places on earth, and I have been to a few places so I have some comparison. I just had the best week ever vacationing in Little Compton with the family. It was full of kayaking, reading books, making s'mores, riding bikes ... all the usual. I can't believe Poppa even got in the kayak. You have to see the photos.

The week started on Friday when we drove down. I was so nice Friday afternoon that we immediately brought the kayak down to the beach to give it it's inaugural try. That was the day Poppa went out in the kayak and the day dad and I climbed atop the big rock ... a formidable feat. Chris came down the next day and stayed until Monday. That was quite fun and involved some more kayaking, some bike riding and some reading. I even made dinner for everyone Sunday night (I know, I can cook, amazing). I made Parmesan Dijon chicken (one of my favorites) and bake stuffed potatoes. Quite delicious. The next few days were pretty lazy. Kate Coleman came down on Tuesday just in time to witness the aftermath of me pulling my hamstring while practicing for my upcoming black belt test. That was lovely. I couldn't walk when she arrived, but by the end of the day I could hobble quite well. It was a fun beach day with her. We even made her go out on the kayak (I know I know, you're saying, enough about the kayak ... but it's lots of fun!). Wednesday was another good day, as was Thursday. One of those days mom, Mart and I made a great dinner concoction. Some might call it Pasta Primavera, but we call it Refrigerator Pasta ... because we just took a box of pasta and added left over chicken, tomatoes, onions, garlic and basil to it. All the scraps we had in the fridge. Then I made an Alfredo sauce (because I have such great culinary talent) and it was delicious! Went to the beach a ton, read about 3 books. Friday was my black belt test so the family came and watched and then we went to Chili's for dinner on the way home in Middletown. Saturday was our last nice day, and in celebration, I got a sunburn. Hehe. I went the whole week without one until Saturday. I suppose that's the best way to do it, if you have to get burned. That night Poppa took us out to dinner at the country club and I tried striped bass (thanks for the recommendation Kate!). Sunday was rainy and chilly so we packed up our things, then built a fire in the fireplace. It was nice and cozy. I played crazy 8's and go fish with Mart. Ah, the simple life.

So that was the vacation in a nutshell. It was perfect. Can't wait for next year!

black belt test

Just a little note that I did test for my black belt last Friday, despite pulling my hamstring on Tuesday (ouch!). Yeah, I'm an idiot. That's what I get for not stretching and then trying my jumping ax kick. Sheesh. I didn't think I'd be able to walk again. I was most upset about missing my chance to test, all because I was practicing for the stinkin' test. Anyway, I did manage to hobble over to the dojang (I know, I'm exaggerating) and Grand Master Hong let me test, but I had to cut a few things out from the testing (like my jumping ax kick) and some other things just didn't look pretty (like my jumping back spinning kick). All in all though, it went well. My choreographed fight routine with April was really good. It was funny. We did a thing from Mean Girls. Imagine that with some Taekwondo added. It was beautiful.

I won't receive my black belt until next April, because you receive your belt at the following black belt testing and they hold testings only twice a year. I'm lucky enough to have gotten to test before I left for Princeton, as the black belt testing is actually in October ... not August. Lucky me. Maybe my luck is back. It's been missing for a bit.

So I thank those of you who wished me well in my testing. I will have to show you some new moves some time ... when my leg heals.

defending anime

Why defend anime, you may ask? Well, I guess I'm just a bit irked with how I always seem to have to go on the defensive when I mention I watch anime. YES, I WATCH ANIME AND I LOVE IT! I am not some sketchy pre-pubescent male in a basement watching cartoons. Because you know what, they aren't cartoons. Yes, they are animated, but isn't animation just another way to express ones ideas and opinions? It is no different than film or art or photography. Not to me, at least. Besides, if you even took the time to watch some anime, you'd understand. Most anime is graphic, bloody, violent, and verbal. I wouldn't want my kids to watch it, any more than I would want them to watch an R rated movie. And yet, what is so appealing about it? To me, it is the fact that most anime shows are finite. They are not this never ending run of episodes which have no connection to the previous except for the fact that the characters are the same and never seem to change their clothes. Good anime shows, the kind that you download of the internet from fansubs because they are released in Japan and you are lucky to get it with English subtitles, are cohesive storylines, kind of like a really long movie, which I really like. It really gets inside my head sometimes, and leaves me contemplative, which is probably why I am on this rant now. I just finished watching all the episodes of Full Metal Alchemist (a really good anime, by the way) and well, the story just left me that sense that usually only a good book leaves me with.

It's just in my head and I keep mulling over the finer points of how the show was summed up and what it all meant. Monster made me feel that way too (also recommended). I thank my Canadian friend Jon for recommending me all these good anime shows. Now, I need a new one. Naruto just isn't doing it for me anymore, not since the filler episodes (which reek of normal, unconnected cartoons ... I am losing interest).

Another interesting thing to note about anime in general, I know it is known for its distinctive facial expressions, but oddly enough, this only makes the characters more real, in my mind. They are drawn with such emotion, that you know exactly how they are feeling because you've inevitably had the same feelings, so it only helps to draw you more into the characters. Really cool. Also, most cartoons don't waste time with things like setting scenes and other filmatic devices. Most cartoons just focus on dialogue between characters. Anime, then, is more like film in that just as much time is given to the background and surroundings that you are drawn into the world.

My last gripe ... that someone won't watch something just because it's anime. Anime is just a style of animation. The topics that anime cover can be as varied from crazy technique wielding ninjas to psychopathic serial killers to futuristic alchemists to adolescent Go players. So don't judge something just because it's anime ... who knows, you could find yourself liking it.

Oh yeah, and I totally dressed up as an anime character (Ten-ten from Naruto) for Halloween last year. It was awesome.

skylar's first birthday

Who'd have thought she'd be one year old by now. For those of you who don't know Skylar, she is my best friend's daughter (my best friend being Laura Coleman ... er ... Bacon). I keep flipping between thinking I can't believe it's only been a year and I can't believe it's already been a year. Laura and Charlie are great parents. Amazing. Skylar is amazing. Such a great little girl. Anyway, I flew down to Maryland last weekend for the single fact to attend her birthday party (what a good friend I am). Naturally, I took a bunch of pictures and put them online. Click the links to the right to see pictures from the party, or if you are lazy, simply click here.

Laura - I look forward to many more visits once I move down to Princeton. Good thing you got that Aero-bed.

the end of summer

Ah! Say it isn't so! It can't be the end of summer already?? No, I shan't think it. This has been one fantastic summer, I must say. Working at home, antagonizing Mart, it's been well worth it. I am excited about the coming months, though. First and foremost, I am very excited about our annual family vacation to Little Compton. A week of nothing more than books, photography ... and perhaps ... an ocean kayak? Oh, that would be awesome. We are in the process of possibly purchasing one. I think it is a fantastic idea. I have many fellow supporters.

Another exciting event that is coming up is my black belt test. Yes sir, I am finally testing for my black belt in Taekwondo. Although, I suppose I shouldn't really say finally, since I am jumping the gun by about 6 months. You see, I just tested for my black stripe about 1.5 months ago, and I'm supposed to have it for at least 6 months before I test for my black belt, but with this whole going off to school thing and never coming back, I get to test before I go. Hooray for me.

And finally, the most monumental event that is coming up is ... my move to Princeton, taking place on the eve of my birth. I am sad that I will be all alone on my birthday. I guess that is what being an adult is all about, or so my mom says. Lonely birthdays. I'll tape a sign to my back so everyone will know. Seriously though, I am excited about moving down to NJ. Despite what everyone here in the tri-state area seem to think, not all of Jersey is dirty! I will defend that forever now, I feel. Ah well.

So for now, I bid thee adieu, and I will most definitely have a few more posts this month with updates, before leaving for the great state of NJ.